- The Bible: Shakespeare was familiar with the Bible, and he often used biblical stories and allusions in his plays.
- Classical literature: Shakespeare was also well-versed in classical literature, and he drew on the works of Greek and Roman playwrights, poets, and historians.
- English literature: Shakespeare was familiar with the works of other English poets and playwrights, and he often borrowed characters, plots, and ideas from their works.
- Contemporary history and politics: Shakespeare was also aware of the current events of his time, and he often incorporated contemporary political and social issues into his plays.
- Personal experience: Shakespeare's own life and experiences also influenced his writing.
Some specific books that Shakespeare is known to have used as sources for his plays include:
- Ovid's Metamorphoses: Shakespeare used this collection of classical myths as a source for several of his plays, including A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest.
- Plutarch's Lives: Shakespeare used this biography of famous Greek and Roman figures as a source for several of his Roman plays, including Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra.
- Holinshed's Chronicles: Shakespeare used this history of England as a source for several of his English history plays, including King John and Henry V.
- The Geneva Bible: Shakespeare used this English translation of the Bible as a source for many of the religious allusions in his plays.
- Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron: Shakespeare used this collection of short stories as a source for several of his comedies, including The Taming of the Shrew and All's Well That Ends Well.